Re-press brick-machine.



No. 656,880. Patented Aug. 28, I900. C. CHAMBERS, 1n. RE-PRESS BRICKMACHINE. (Application filed in. 15, 1899.,

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Shee l.

WITNESSES: s /A/ VENTOR Nam ATTORNEY.

No. 656,880. Patented Aug. 28, I900.

C. CHAMBERS, 1n.

RE-PRESS BRICK MACHINE.

(Application filed Mar. 15, 1899.1 (No Model.) 4 Sheets-$heet 3.

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No. 656,880. Patented Aug. 28. I900.

" C. CHAMBERS, .IR.

RE-PRESS BRICK MACHINE.

(Applicakioxi filed Mar. 15, 1899.1

4 Sheets-Sheet: 4.

' ATTORNEY.

NKTED STATES PAT NT OF'Ftcn.

OYRUSGHAMBERS, JR, OF OVERBROOK, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE CHAMBERSBROTHERS COMPANY, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

RE PRESS BRICK-MACHINE.-

SPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 656,880, dated August28, 1900.

Application filed March 1 5, 13 9 9;

To aZZ whom, it may concern;

Be it known that I, CYRUS CHAMBERS, J r., a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Overbrook, in the county of Montgomery and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inRe-Press Brick- Machines, of which the following is a full, clear, andexact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,ofwhich Figure 1, Sheet 1, is a side elevation of a re-press brick-machinein which my invention is embodied. Fig. 2 is a section as on line 2 2,Fig. 1, of the cam that operates the vent-hole-closing pins. Fig. 3,Sheet 2, is a vertical longitudinal section looking from the sideopposite to that of Fig. 1. Fig. 4, Sheet 3, is a full section, partlybroken away, as on line 4. 4, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a section as on line 55, Fig. 3. Fig. 6 is a rear side elevation, enlarged, of the camdetached for actuating the vent-closing pins; Fig. 7, Sheet 4, a planview of the anvilenlarged; Fig. 8, a full section as on line 88, Fig. 9.Fig. 9 is a vertical longitudinal section through the middle of theanvil, being an enlarged view of the same parts shown in similar sectionin Fig. 3. Fig. 10 is a section as on the line 10 10, Fig. 9. Fig. 11 isa perspective View, enlarged, of the vent-hole plug or bushing detached.

This invention relates to re-press brick-machines wherein the mold ormold-box is provided with one or more vent-holes for the purpose ofpermitting the escape of any excess of clay of the clot during thecompressing operation. The bricks made in such machines were imperfectin that the clay at and adjacent to the point or line of outflow fromthe vent-holes was of considerably-less density than the other parts ofthe brick. Attempts have been made with only partialsuccess, so far as Iam aware, to remedy this defeet, and the object of my invention is toentirely remedy the sam ethat is to say, to produce re-pressed brickswith machines of the kind above mentioned that shall be of homogeneoustexture or density throughout.

The invention consists in the combination, with are-press brick-machinehaving suitable vent-holes (or it may be a single hole) in the, mold ormold-box, of pins, one for each hole,

' mounted in suitable guideways and in line Serial No. 709,122. (Nomodel.)

then occupying the holes into the body of the brick, thus correcting thelack of or restoring the density of the clay in and adjacent to theoutflow toward and from the vent-holes.

While my improvement is applicable to various forms of re-pressbrick-machines of the kind referred to, Whether the mold or mold-box bestationary or movable with relation to a stationary anvil or bottom, Ihave shown the same in the accompanying drawings applied to a certainmachine which is in public use and which is the invention of' Howard K.King, of the city of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, for which Iam aware he has filed an application for Letters Patent of the UnitedStates. A feature of that machine comprises mechanism operating at apredetermined time to cut or knock off the free ends of the noodlesprojecting beyond the exit end of the vent-holes of the bottom of themold-box and then to stop up such end a short time before the completionof the compression of the c1ot,the object and result being to in aconsiderable measure produce uniformity of texture or density of theclay throughout the clotor brick. In applying my improvement to the saidma chine I substitute for the mechanism and devices for cutting off thenoodles and then stopping the vent-holes the devices hereinafter to bedescribed.

Ihave not deemed it necessary to show in the accompanying drawings andshall not describe in detail all the mechanism of the aforesaid Kingmachine, but only sufficient for a clear understanding of my improvementas applied thereto. 4

Referring now to theaccompanying drawings, 1 designates the frame of themachine; 2, the mold-box; 3, the plunger fitted therein, and 4 theunderlying stationary anvil, which forms the bottom of the mold-box whenthe clot c, Fig. 3, is being re-pressed.

The mold-box is adapted to be reciprooated vertically with relation tothe anvil at predetermined times, by the operation of a cam (not shown)upon the main or cam shaft 5 of the machine, which shaft is driven inthe direction indicated by the arrow in Fig. 3, through suitable gearconnections from a shaft '6, that carries a pulley 7, which is driven bya belt from the source of power. The aforesaid cam is arranged to rockan arm 8 upon a shaft 9, the free 'end of which arm is pivotallyconnected with a vertically-slidable frame 10, whose lower end isconnected to the mold-box 2, whereby the required vertical movements ofthe latter are effected at the prearranged times.

The plunger 3 is secured to a cross-head 11, whose upper end ispivotally connected by a bar 12 to the lower short arm 13 of a threearmrock or bell crank lever 13, that is mounted on a shaft 14:. One of thearms 13 of the lever has a roller at its free end, which contacts with acam 15 on the cam-shaft 5. The other similar arm 13 of the lever alsohas a roller that contacts with a cam 16 on the same shaft 5. The cam 15rocks the lever 13 forward and so causes the plunger to descend, and asthe said shaft continues its rotation the cam 16 rocks back the leverand so raises the plunger.

The anvil 4, which is supported by and is fastened to a diaphragm 1,Fig. 3, of the machine-frame, is provided with vertical guideholes thatare in line vertically with ventholes 18 through the anvil. The lowerportions of said guide-holes are round, while the outer wall of theupper portion 17 is cut away, so that part of the holes is openoutwardly to a space a in the sides of the anvil. The upper end 17 ofthe walls so cut away is beveled off, as seen in Figs. 3 and 9. Intoeach of the guide-holes 17 extends a vertical rod or pin 19, that alsopasses through an aperture in the diaphragm 1*. The lower ends of thesepins are fixed to a cross-head 20 on the upper end of a bar 21, whoselower end is pivoted to the end of an arm 22, that is mounted upon ahorizontal rock-shaft 23. This shaft works in a sleeve-bearing 24, Figs.4 and 5, that is secured to one of the uprights 1 of the machine-frame.I usually provide the said sleeve with a chamber 2 1 for the receptionand retention of oil for lubricating the shaft, the oil beingconveniently introduced through a pipe 24 On the outer end of therock-shaft 23 is an arm 25, Fig. 1, to the free end of which is pivoteda rod 26, whose upper end has a guideyoke 27, through which extends theend of the main or cam shaft 5. On this shaft, or rat-her upon a flangedsleeve or hub that is keyed to the shaft, is a cam 28, having acamgroove 28 of the form seen in Fig. 1 on its face, into which extendsa roller 29, that is journaled on the inner side of the rod 26.

Having thus described the construction of my invention, I shall nowexplain the mode of operation thereof as applied to the particularre-press brick-machine illustrated in part in the drawings. The partsbeing in the position shown in said drawings in which the clot c, Fig.3, has been advanced by suitable means from the feed-table 30 to theanvil 4 in position to register with the interior of the walls of theoverlying mold-box-a s, for example, hy means of a horizontal slidablefeedbar 31, having its rear end upturned and terminating in a cross-bar31 to take against the rear end of the slot placed on the feedtableasthe shaft 5 rotates, the feed-bar being first retracted a shortdistance, so as to carry its upturned end from beneath the rear end ofthe mold-box, the mold-box is caused to descend by the action of theaforesaid cam (not shown) and incases the clot. At the same time theplunger 3 is forced down by the operation of the cam 15, thuscompressing the clot between the plunger and anvil, which latter becomesthen, in effect, the bottom of the mold-box. Any excess of clay in theclot beyond what is required to form the finished brick is forced outthrough the vent-holes 18 in the shape of cylinders or noodles that aredeflected outwardly by reason of their free end impinging against thebeveled walls of the cutaway portion of the pin-guide holes 17, asbecause of the clay expanding as it flows out the noodles cannot entersaid cut-away portion. YVhile this outflow of the surplus clay is going011, the cam 28 rotating in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 1 is soshaped, as shown, as to draw up the connecting-rod 26 and the end of thearm 25, and consequently rocks the shaft 23, thus forcing up the pins19. When the latter reach the lower extremities of the ventholes, (whichoccurs at about the time the clay has ceased to issue therefrom byreason of the plunger having nearly attained the limit of its downwardmovement,) the escape of the clay is arrested by the said pins, and asthey continue their ascent they force the clay then occupying thevent-holes back into the body of the compressed clot, thus accomplishingthe object of the invention-to wit, the resolidifying of that portion ofthe clot or brick which had not acquired the density of the other partsowing to the outflow of the clay from or lack of resistance of thevent-holes. If necessary or desirable, the cam 23 may be set so as tocause the pins to be forced up a short distance into the body of thebrick, thereby effecting further consolidation of the clay. Theindenture that would in that case be left in the brick would not injureits commercial value. The re-pressing operation having been thuscompleted, the pins 19 are gradually returned by the rotating cam 28 tothe original or depressed position. At about the same time the shaft 5,that carries the cams that respectively actuate the plunger andmold-box, causes the plunger and moldbox to ascend simultaneously, andthe brick I is carried up away from the anvil, it adhering to theplunger and mold-box by suction and friction. The feed-bar 31 is thenretracted toward the feed-table 30, and a delivery-plate 32, mounted onthe feed-bar, is brought over the anvil. Then, while the plunger hasreached its upward limit, the mold-box, withthe incased brick, continuesto rise until it reaches its highest point, thus freeing the brick andcausing it to drop down upon the said delivery-plate, and it is thencarried away by the next forward reciprocation of the feed-bar.

It is desirable that the cam 28, which, it will be remembered, imparts,through the connections hereinbefore described, the proper verticalreciprocations to the pins 19, shall be rotatively adjustable, so as tochange, if necessary, the timing of the movements of the said pins. Tothis end I mount the cam looselyupon a sleeve or hub 33, thatis keyedupon the camshaft 5 and has opposite lugs 34, Figs. 2 and 6, which areprovided with curvilinear slots 35, as clearly seen in Fig. 6. Throughthese slots are passed set screws or bolts 36, whose inner ends arescrewed into the side of the cam-wheel which abuts against said lugs, asseen in Figs. 2 and 6. By loosing the said screws the cam may obviouslybe rotatively adjusted as required. There may be a scale 37, Fig. 6, onthe face of one of the lugs 35, as seen in Fig. 6, in connec-' tion witha washer 38 beneath one of the setscrews 36, having a pointer 39,whereby the adjustments may be made to a definite point. I also, mainlyto compensate for wear, make the pins 19 vertically adjustable on thecrosshead 20, to which they are connected by means of screws 19 on theirlower ends entered into threaded holes in the cross-head. These screwsmay be integral with the pins or the pins may be fastened to them. Byturning the said screws it will be obvious that the distance of the pinsfrom the vent-holes may be adjusted as required and one pin may be soadjusted independently of the other. I usually split the cross-head, asseen in Fig. 10, and use screw-clamp bolts 40 for drawing the splitportions of the cross-head toward each other, and thus tightening thesame upon the screws 19 to prevent any possible displacement of thepins.

Although preferable it is not always necessary that the vent-holes be inthe bottom of the mold-box. I prefer to make the part having thevent-holes, as shown in the drawings,

more clearly in Figs. 9 and 10, Sheet 4-that is to say, in the form of acylindrical perforated plug or bushing 4l-of bronze or other suitablemetal having a circular flange 41 at the top and a shank the upper partof which, 41", is plain and the body 41 thereof screwthreaded andterminating in a head 41, which may be square or hexagonal, as shown,whereby the plug may be readily turned with a wrench, the headprojecting into the space or opening 4 of the anvil when the plunger isin place, as shown. The body of the anvil, as also the usual steelremovable facing 4 thereof, is perforated to receive the plug, whoseflange 41 rests in an enlargement or counterbore of the upper part ofthe perforation, with its upper surface flush with that of theanvil-facing, as seen in Fig. 9. The threaded part of the shank engagesthreads in the wall of the body of the anvil, and thus the device servesthe double purpose of a removable vent and a means for securing thesteel lining to the body of the anvil. I also prefer to make the parthaving the guide-.

holes for the pins in the form of a bushing 42, Figs. 3 and 9, of bronzeor other suitable metal, which is securely but removably fastened to theanvilas, for example, in the following manner: The lower end of the saidbushing is made with a flange 42", that is seated in a socket in theunder side of the anvil, which latter rests upon the top of the diaphragm 1. In order to prevent turning .of the busl1ing-that is, toinsure the maintenance of the cut-away part 17 of the upper part of theholes in the proper position-a cylindrical pin 42 is inserted in hole42' part of which is in the flange of the bushing and part in the baseof the anvil, as seen in Fig. 9 and indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 8.

I here remark an important advantage that I have omitted to mention thatobtains in my invention, and that is the remedy of a difficulty thatexists in those machines wherein the ends of the noodles projectingbeyond the vent holes are broken off or out off. This difficulty is thatthe vent holes frequently become more or less stopped up by sticks,stones, or other obstruction or by clay that had hardened when themachine was not in operation. enter the vent-holes they clear the latterof all obstructions, which are forced back into the brick with thenoodles. I further remark that it will be obvious that the quantity ofclay to be forced back into the body of the clot or brick, ashereinbefore described, may be varied by varying the length of theventholes or their diameter, and consequently that of the pins.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent- 1. In a re-press brick-machine, the combination ofthe mold-box, the vent-holes therein, the plunger adapted to work insaid moldbox, the pins in registry with said vent-holes, and means foractuating said pins to cause them to enter said holes at a predeterminedtime during the compression of the clot and force back the clay thenoccupying said holes into the body of the clay contained in themold-box, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a repress brick-machine, the combination of the mold-box havingthe vent-holes therein, the plunger adapted to work in said boX, thepins in registry with said holes, and

As the pins in my invention means for actuating said pins to cause thesame to enter said holes at a predetermined time and force back the claytherein into the body of the compressed clay within the moldbox, andmeans whereby the clay issuing from the vent-holes is deflected out ofthe path of the pins, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. In a re-press brick-machine, the combination of the mold-box havingvent-holes therein, the plunger adapted to work in said mold-box, ananvil having guide-holes, the verticallydisposed pins in correspondingguide-holes of the anvil in registry with the vent-holes, the upperportion of said guideholes opening outwardly as shown, and means forimparting vertical reciprocations to said pins to cause them to enterand retract from said vent-holes, at predetermined times, substantiallyas and for the purpose set forth.

4. In a re-press brick-machine of the character recited, the combinationof the anvil, its removable lining, and the removable flanged plug orbushinghavingthe vent-holes and secured to the anvil, whereby saidlining is maintained in place, substantially as described.

5. In a re-press brick-machine, of the character recited, thecombination of the anvil, its removable lining, and the removable plugor bushing having ventholes therein, the flanged head seated in a socketin said lining and its shank screwed into an aperture in the anvil,whereby the device serves the twofold function of a vent-plug and ameans for securing the lining to the anvil, substantially as specified.

6. In a re-press brick-machine, the combination of the stationary anvilhaving the vent-holes, the open mold-box, the plunger adapted to worktherein, means for actuating said mold-box and plunger respectively,

the vertically-movable pins in registry with the said vent-holes, andmeans for causing said pins to enter said holes at thehereinbefore-stated predetermined time, during the operation ofcompressing the clot within the mold-box, substantially as and for thepurpose described.

7. In a re-press brick-machine, the combination of the mold-box, theplunger adapted to work therein, the anvil or bottom of the mold-boxhaving the vent-holes therein, the pins in registry with said holes,means for actuating said pins, and means for adjusting the latterlongitudinally,subs tantially as and for the purpose set forth.

8. In a re-press brick-machine, the combination of the mold-box, theplunger adapted to work therein, the anvil or bottom of the mold-boxhaving the vent-holes therein, the pins in registry with said holes,mechanism, substantially as described, for actuating said pins, andmeans for adjusting said mechanism whereby the timing of the movementsimparted to said pins may be varied as required, as and for the purposeset forth.

9. In a re-press brick-machine, of the character described, thecombination of the moldboX and plunger, the anvil or bottom of themold-box having the vent-holes therein, the rockshaft, the pinsconnected with said shaft and in registry with said vent-holes, the armon said shaft, the rotatable cam, 28, the rod connecting said arm andcam, and means, substantially as described, for efiecting rotativeadjustments of said cam, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature this 1st dayof March, A. D. 1899.

CYRUS CHAMBERS, JR.

Witnesses:

JOSHUA PUSEY, ANDREW V. GRoUPn.

